Have you ever wondered exactly what casual dating is? To some people it sounds glamorous and mysterious. To others it sounds like a polite term for sleeping around. In reality, many casual dating relationships have nothing to do with sex. Read on for casual dating tips...

Casual dating is all about keeping your options open and playing the field so that you can figure out what type of person you are most compatible with.

It is about having a good time and enjoying someone’s company, all the while keeping things light and easygoing.

There are no serious talks, no pressure to commit and (best of all) no messy breakups.

Does it sound too good to be true?

It isn’t! Here are eight rules of casual dating to help get you started.

1. Rack Up the DigitsWhen you strike up a conversation with an attractive, interesting guy in a club, an elevator or even a supermarket aisle, go ahead and ask for his phone number.

Casual dating means you can always be on the lookout for someone new, so that if or when things fizzle with one of your current guys you have a list of new potential dates to choose from. Don’t be afraid! It gets easier with practice, and the worst he can say is no.

2. ExperimentThe reason you decided to pursue casual dating relationships was to find the guy who’s right for you, right? But chances are there’s one “type” of guy that you always seem to find yourself attracted to – whether it’s the slick bad boy, the long-haired jokester or the buttoned-down prep. In the search for Mr. Right, make sure you don’t start typecasting.

Experiment by dating guys with different looks, personalities and outlooks on life. You might just surprise yourself and find exactly what you’ve been looking for. At the very least, you’ll broaden your horizons and maybe even learn a thing or two.

3. Be HonestThe number one rule in casual dating: Be clear about your intentions from the start.

Before you even agree to accept a date, make sure he knows that you aren’t looking for anything serious.

Act like an English teacher and check for comprehension.

Some people hear the words, “I’m not looking for a relationship,” and they think what you’re saying is, “I’m not looking for a relationship yet.”

Your new man might think there’s hope to win you over, so you must be brutally, painfully (politely) obvious.

Tell him that you’re still trying to figure out what kind of guy you’re looking for and it is going to be a very, very long time before you allow yourself to get into a serious relationship.

If he’s still interested, game on. If not, he can walk away; no harm, no foul.

4. Don’t Kiss and TellIf honesty is the number one rule of casual dating, then rule number two is all about discretion.

No one likes to hear about their competition, especially in the dating world.

If you’re dating more than one guy at a time, keep the details about your other relationships on the down low.

Discussing your other relationships will only spark jealousy.

5. Choose Your Stance on SexCasual dating is not synonymous with casual sex.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to casual dating and sex.

The first is, if you are the type of person who can enjoy sex without the emotional attachments that typically go with it (think Samantha from Sex and the City), then a bedroom romp might be the natural end to a great night out.

After all, casual dating is about finding the right guy for you, and physical chemistry is an important part of compatibility. As long as you use good judgment (no beer goggles, please) and proper protection, there is nothing wrong with having sex without having a relationship.

For many people, however, there is nothing casual about sex. Making love often triggers a feeling of emotional investment.

You may find it hard to keep the “casual” vibe in your dating life once you go to bed with a guy.

To keep your sanity and cut down on drama, most relationship counselors and sex therapists agree that you should abstain from sex while you are casually dating.

Wait until you your casual dating relationship turns into something more before you take that next step.

6. Go OutWhen you are casually dating, make sure you actually go out on dates.

See a movie, eat at a restaurant, play miniature golf or even go skydiving.

A casual dating relationship is all about enjoying new experiences with someone new in your life.

Take this piece of casual dating advice and (repeat after me) get out of the house.

That means no DVD-watching on your comfy couch.

No cooking dinner at his place.

No lounging around in pajamas on a casual Saturday.

These home activities are not a part of casual dating; they are the tell-tale signs of coupledom.

Inviting your man-of-the-moment up for a nightcap is one thing. Nesting is another.

7. Respect Your DateRemember, the guys you are casually dating have feelings, too!

Don’t treat them like they’re a dime a dozen.

If you go on one or two dates with a guy and the chemistry just isn’t there, don’t pretend like you don’t see him the next time you pass him in the street (or the office).

Have the decency to smile, say hello and even strike up a few lines of small talk.

You don’t have to avoid each other just because the sparks didn’t fly.

By the same token, however, if the sparks happen to turn into fireworks on the first or second date, control your urge to call your new flame every half hour or drop by his place unexpectedly just to say hi.

If you’ve entered into a casual dating relationship with a man, then you both agreed to have the same boundaries – strictly fun, nothing serious.

If you develop deeper feelings for the guy you’re dating, you are well within your rights to profess them. But expecting him to reciprocate would be unfair.

If it’s clear that you want more than he does, it is best to just back off.

Most importantly, if the man you are casually dating professes his deeper feelings, you must be honest about how you feel.

If you aren’t interested in starting a relationship, let him down gently but firmly.

It’s best that you don’t see each other anymore if you obviously want different things.

Don’t lead him on or act wishy-washy about how you feel just so you can keep seeing him.

You’ll only end up hurting him in the end.

8. Stay True to YourselfFor the most valuable casual dating advice, all you have to do is listen to that little voice inside.

If, half-way through the first date, you realize things aren’t going to work out, break the news gently.

If something (probably not your heart) tells you to strike up a conversation with that cute UPS guy the next time he swings by your office, do it.

If and when you feel ready to move from a casual dating relationship to something more exclusive, let your guy know.

If he doesn’t feel the same way, don’t settle for less than what you deserve.

If you are prone to jealousy, co-dependence or insecurity, casual dating probably isn’t for you.

The same advice applies if you’re on a mission to find Mr. Right.

But, if you’re looking for a chance to meet new people and have some fun with zero strings attached, you might want to try casually dating.

There are millions of fish in the sea; why not cast a wide net?

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